| Author |
Topic: Coming Back after ACL Surgery ? |
first timer
Cool Runner |
 posted Apr-02-2006 12:23 AM
  
Hey skypenny, one thing that I have started doing was incorporate cycling into my workout routine. It's helping with my endurance without all the jarring movements from running. I can feel an improvement in my leg strength. One leg is still stronger than the other, but hopefully they'll start to equaly out soon.
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janel25
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2006 05:42 AM
marycrow - Hi goodluck with the surgery I am 39 and like yourself now in better shape than I was at 26 too. Good luck with your decision most people seem to have the op and I must say my surgeon and most of my friends thought I was mad not to go ahead with it but my PT was very supportive and said the choice was mine and if I was prepared to not have the lateral movements I once did then no prob I live in Australia and skiing is not high on my agenda so the decision I made suited me. From all the wonderful positive responses to this thread it seems that people make great recoveries and are back into running better than ever. Maybe the time being unable to run increases your love and perspective of the freedom running brings. Good Luck with your decision and please keep me posted.Janelle
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marycrow
Member |
posted Apr-03-2006 01:45 PM
Thank you so much for these inspirational messages! Check in after 4/26 when my surgery is scheduled. Fortunately, I have a laptop and wireless, so I'll be online a lot! Happy spring running folks....
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2006 01:46 PM
Hi Rojewski.
I ran 19 miles this week : ) That is the most miles in over a year. My knee feels OK - a littel twingey, but I think it will always feel like that. The big test will be when I start the double digit long runs again. I should know after my first 14 miler if I have another marathon in my future. I am thinking of maybe signing up for the Cape Cod marathon in October. I ran it a few years ago (my PR) and it is a nice course. That is my "maybe" long term goal. I don't run too many organized 10ks because I don't like getting in my car to go somehwere to run. And my friend who I used to occasionally race with moved to Florida. So mostly I run alone. It suits me. Congrats on graduating from PT. I enjoyed my PT (all 11 months of it ) but was happy to say good-bye. When I do run my next marathon, I am going to send my PT person a picture of me crossing the finish line. When I was in that passive motion knee machine I never thought I would walk again. : )
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HStreet
Member |
posted Apr-30-2006 05:34 PM
I just found this forum. My son has been sidelined with an IT Band problem since last August. He is a cross country/track recruit for the college he will attend in the fall, so this has been pretty upsetting for him. He has done everything possible to treat the IT Band and has gotten only temporary relief. He has seen every good sports medicine professional within hours of where he goes to school. The recent decision is that an ACL tear 6 years ago may be causing enough instability to prevent the IT Band from functioning properly. I think he is about to have the ACL reconstruction. I have read all your posts and now have a better idea of what he can expect during the recovery/rehab. Has anyone else had IT Band problems as a result of the ACL tear? It is hard to get information specific to runners when it comes to ACL issues- lots on IT Band, but not on ACL.
Thanks a lot.
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted May-02-2006 09:42 AM
Hi Rojewski. Do I have any races planned ???
Dare I say it - I am thinking a fall marathon. I missed last year because of the injury and I like the challenge of the marathon. (I ran 4 in the last 4 years before accident) . Plus, I still don't think I have hit my true - PR yet...plus, I am a new age group this year (50) so I will be a young 'un out there. Ran a 9 miler last week and felt OK afterwards. Knee will always be a little twingey I think. I am concerned about collateral injury from the reconstrution (ITB, achilles, etc.) Would like to drop 10 - 15 just to make it easier on the new knee. But I might look too scrawny if loose too much. (husband not into scrawny, boney look.) Still haven't got to the double digit runs yet so I don't know how my knee will react to a 15-plus miler. That should tell me a lot. How 'bout you?
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rojewski
Cool Runner |
posted May-02-2006 11:16 AM
Hey Skypenny,
I've missed talking to you! I was actually thinking about you the other day! Good job on the progress! A fall marathon, huh? Where are you thinking of going? It sounds as if things are finally starting to come together for you! Good, you've waited a long time for this!!! Are youdoing any shorter races to see where you are at?
I am doing a 5k on Friday night, this race is to just get me back into racing again and take the rust off the wheels and also to see where I'm at as far as fitness. The real test will be on the 21st of May I have another 5k scheduled. I hate 5k's they are too fast, I like the longer distances. I promised my coach that I would ice that knee down well right after I finish that race. He is a little concerned about the course. it starts going down a big hill and finishes going back up that hill. The rest of the course is flat.
I'm up to double digit miles I did my second 10 mile run last Saturday at a hilly park nearby. No issues or soreness and I was able to keep up with all of my running partners without any problems!! I'm up to running almost 40 miles a week with one of those days being a fartlek run. Next Wednesday I go to the track to do a workout. I am WAY ahead of where my coach and I thought I would be at this point!
Yes, I am planning on doing a marathon this fall. I've narrowed it down to 5 solid choices. I would love to run a PR because like you I know I haven't reached my full potential yet. All I really want to do is requalify for Boston at this point. I really think that will not be a problem.
Let me know where you are considering on doing your comeback marathon!!
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janel25
Cool Runner |
posted May-03-2006 06:34 AM
Marycrow so how did the surgery go. Hope all is ok. keep us postedsending you speedy recovery wishes Janelle
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted May-04-2006 12:38 PM
Hi Rojewski - Wow. You are way ahead of me - but the meniscus repair set me back more. My surgery was a year ago yesterday. This time last year I was in the machine all medicated and iced and I couldn't get out of bed w/o help. Now I am up to about 23 miles a week (plus cross training), with my longest run (last week) at 9. Plan to hit double digit long run this weekend and see what happens. Not focusing too much on speed. I still don't have my wind back. I swam at my club this morning and cooled down with a breastroke - my knee still feels really weird when I do the breaststroke. I think knee will always feel tight. Also, I still don't have full range of motion back, but I only notice it when I am trying to squat down to get something from the bottom shelf. Which marathon? I am thinking maybe Cape Cod - it is close to home and a friend in work might run it. And it's pretty (but hilly) I am also thinking maybe Chicago because I just spent a week there and fell in love with the city. I need around 25 minutes to BQ - so I won't BQ for a while - maybe when I hit next age group if I keep my current fitness. What marathon will you do ?
Skypenny
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rojewski
Cool Runner |
posted May-04-2006 01:31 PM
Hey Skypenny,Yes, I do still have a few issues and squating down to get somthing off a shelf is an issue for me. I usually have to grab somthing. I feel like an old lady, when I get up from squatting! Funny!
Cape Cod, huh? I have had mixed feelings on a few marathons. I have 5 considerations that I am struggling with right now. 1 Detroit (I always run well here and it's close to home with alot of support from running partners!) 2. Grand Rapids, never done but heard its a good one to run. 3 Philly This was the last marathon I did before my surgery and I really enjoyed it. 4. Memphis, I've heard good things here 5. Whistlestop in Wisconsin, again I've heard good things about this race. I am going for a BQ and I have lots of time to really be prepared.
My running partners are all going to Chicago! This is close for me also, I just don't want to go there yet. I've heard great things about Chicago too!
It sounds as if both of us are making a comeback. I don't have a pool nearby that I can go and swim at. I wish I did. I took lessons last summer and enjoyed it and can see where you could really benefit from swimming.
Keep me updated on your progress! I enjoy hearing from you!
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fishjumper
unregistered |
posted Jun-27-2006 07:00 PM
Hi everyone. I tore my ACL last summer and pretty much destroyed all the meniscus on both sides of my knee. I had it all repaired a few months later. I had the patella tendon graft and half of the medial meniscus removed. The lateral meniscus was sewn back together. I have a scar about 5 or 6 inches long down my knee. It's quite a painful and frustrating experience. Obviously, I wouldn't want to do it again.
I used to run before I injured myself - don't get on a trampoline drunk, that's all I'm saying - and I haven't had the courage to trying running any great distances yet. I bike a lot and use the elliptical trainer in the gym, and have few problems with my knee, though I can't kneel on hard surfaces. I would swim, but unfortunately I put on a bit of weight since my surgery (about 20lb). I want to start running again to try and lose a bit of the weight, but I'm a really nervous. I keep thinking I'm going to re-injure myself.
Has anyone got any advice, as I'm quite unfit now, on getting back up to running 3-5 miles a day like I used to. How did people cope with the nerves?
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cuinacat
Member |
posted Jun-28-2006 09:25 AM
Hi fishjumper, I tore my ACL last winter and waited about 4 months before having the reconstruction surgery (hamstring graft). It turns out that sometime shortly after my injury in Jan. 05 I formed a blood clot behind the affected knee. Despite having problems breathing in addition to other scary symptoms until even after my reconstruction surgery, nobody thought to link my skiing accident with the PE symptoms but eventually they determined that I had passed several clots to my lungs. After spending 5 months feeling like my body was broken (and I'm only 28!), I did start feeling better about 3 months or so after my surgery. I'm still being treated for the clots and most likely I'll be on blood thinners for the rest of my life, but as a new runner I feel like following a training program and journaling my progress has renewed my confidence in the way my body works. My knee works well. I don't have quite the same degree of hyperextension as in the other knee and I still have a good bit of residual swelling from the blood clot, which along with the fading surgery scars is a little hard for my vanity! But starting with very modest goals and reminding myself to be happy with each accomplishment has in large part helped me to overcome the nervousness you mention. Good luck! quote:
Originally posted by fishjumper: I want to start running again to try and lose a bit of the weight, but I'm a really nervous. I keep thinking I'm going to re-injure myself.
Has anyone got any advice, as I'm quite unfit now, on getting back up to running 3-5 miles a day like I used to. How did people cope with the nerves?
[This message has been edited by cuinacat (edited Jun-28-2006).]
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-28-2006 12:04 PM
Hi fishjumper. It is nomal to be nervous about running again because the comeback from the ACL surgery is so grueling. I actually did re-injure myself running 6 mos. after surgery - but the ACL held up just fine - it was my MCL and it healed up again after another 3 months of PT. Anyway...I would start coming back on the treadmill - you won't lose your footing and you can go as slow as you want. When I was coming back, my PT had me start with 3 minutes and then increase in incremets of one minute and not to run on consecutive days. It sounds like it takes forever, but it adds up in no time. Lately I am running most of my miles on a TM - last time I ran outside I sprained my ankle ! But my ACL help up just fine  I am going outside now for a quick run ....
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rojewski
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-28-2006 03:34 PM
Hi Fishjumper! Welcome to the world of ACL rehab! It will get better. I just had surgery on Dec 21 but, I had a cadaver tendon put in. My recovery was swift but, I agree with Skypenny. My PT's had me doing the same things. They had me on a treadmill doing increments by time 1 min of running 2 mins of walking and building from there. They also had me start by hanging onto the railings for support. ANother treadmill excercise that was given to me was turning around on the treadmill and walking backwards, pushing the belt with my legs. This is a great workout and my quads were killing me after the first time I did this. It got better and they had me do this for up to 10 mins. But, as far as the running they only started me out running twice a week under their guidance. At first I felt like it was taking forever to get back up and running consecutively. I was frustrated and feeling as if everyone (PT's and my coach) were holding me back. It was for my own good. One other thing I did alot was use the stationary bike at the gym. Once they got me started on that I became a fiend, because PT said I could do this as much as I wanted within reason. Biking at that time was my only outlet! As of today, I'm back up to 50 miles a week and having no problems at all(I'm not normal)!!!! I have returned to racing and smashing old PR's! I can't wait for my comeback marathon in October! All of my runs are stronger and solid. Hang in there and be patient, we are here for support. If you have a bad day this is where you need to come.Hi Skypenny! I miss talking to you.
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-29-2006 09:04 AM
HI Rojewski - Glad to hear you are running 50 mpw. Wow. I am up to only 20 mpw, plus lots of swimming; weights etc. I will start my 'official' training in 2 weeks - I registered for a fall marathon. This will be my 5th, We'll see how my knee holds up. I still haven't run a double digit run since the injury - I had the MCL rip last fall and than a sprained ankle (!) last month that set me back (again). But now I am feeling more like my old self. My knee is fine - still a little tight- but I hardly think about it anymore. I am so glad I had the surgery - when I sprained my ankle last month running on a grassy trail by the Charles RIver I later thought - 'wow. My knee held up great ! If I hadn't had the ACL fixed I probably woudl have ripped what little cartilege I had left before the meniscus microfracture surgery.' Anyway, I am glad we started this site because when I was cruising the net for info during my convelescence, there was very little on ACL and running because it is nto a running injury. (scary thought - this winter I will get back on my skis for the first time since accident ....) Keep in touch.
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OSNitro
Member |
posted Jul-03-2006 11:17 PM
Hey, there hasn't been too much chat in the past few months...how's everyone doing?
here's my story, and my questions, if anyone has an answer.i'm 21 female, played D3 college basketball. my senior year, things looking great for the new season...and within the 1st 1/2 of the 2nd game of the season i tear my ACL. MRI shows complete tear, no other injuries. it was pretty devestating for me, since i needed 100 more points to be the 5th female at the college to score 1000 points in her college career. luckily, i was able to red-shirt the year, and i decided to try to come back to play for the next season.
i had reconstructive surgery jan 3, 06...hamstring autograft. since i am exactly 6 months out, my sergeon says i'm ok to play basketball again. i, on the other hand, am nervous. i am able to run with no knee problems...as some of you had previously said, the new knee just isn't the same, it's sore afterward (mostly just some soreness to go up stairs), and i ice after every run. within the past week i got fitted for a knee brace, which i've heard does provide some stabilization, but is mostly just for psychological support. i guess my question is...does anyone know the chance of injuring the acl on the other knee? or reinjuring the new acl?
i really want to play again, but i'm paranoid that i will get hurt again. you guys seem to have similar stories and a real support forum here...thanks for your interest.
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OSNitro
Member |
posted Jul-03-2006 11:23 PM
Oops!! didn't notice there was a page 2! i guess you guys have been chatting recently! Good!
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cuinacat
Member |
posted Jul-05-2006 04:28 PM
Hi OSNitroMy physical therapist mentioned that once you've torn one ACL that it's not uncommon to tear the other since it's really easy to rely too much on the uninjured knee instead of building back even strength on both sides. With running this is maybe not such an issue, since ACL tears aren't typical running injuries, but with skiing or other sports (soccer, basketball maybe?).
Good luck with your recovery!
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niana
Member |
posted Jul-08-2006 02:37 PM
This is such an awesum website..i tore my acl on may 3rd while doing taekwondo ,the doc said tht if i want to lead a sedentry lifestyle i dont need a surgery but i do taekwondo..besides tht i run ( not a heavy runner like u guys but run 5 mils on the treadmill 5 days a week....also workout in the gymn with wts etc....i had the surgery ..acl reconstruction ...done two weeks ago on june 22nd...hamstring ..everything looks grt..i only used the crutches for a week...my phyiscal therapy starts in two days..am so looking forward for it...i have a ques....i have to take this trip to india around 20th sept..haveto do a lot of walking there .. wot do u suggest /? shud i or shud i not..am a very self motivated person..i think i will do well with the PT n all..i nede opnion from the pros..wot do u guys thing abt the trip ??i will continue my PT there also at home..just going for 3 weeks only....help..help..help....lol
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OSNitro
Member |
posted Jul-12-2006 05:25 PM
hey niana,
i'm pretty new to this forum also, but i'll offer my advice based on my recovery so far. i had the ham graft on jan 3rd of this year...so i'm about 6mths post-op. I'm not a runner, but i play basketball all the time, which is how i tore my acl.
Like you, about 3 months after my surgery I went to NYC for the week (i'm not sure how long your trip is) but i did A LOT of walking there!
I'm not gonna lie, I was sore, but it was nothing that i couldn't handle. I think doing the stairs was the hardest part, but still the ACL didn't get in my way of enjoying my vacation. I just made sure i iced it! If you do your PT and everything, i think by the time of the trip you'll know whether or not you can handle all that walking.
good luck!ps, a trip like that doesn't happen every day (for me anyway!), so weigh your options before you make a decision!!!
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wkm99
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-12-2006 07:09 PM
I had ACL recon w/bioabsorbable screws not metal ones and allograft and partial menisectomy where 30% of my medial meniscus (cartilage) was trimmed or "cleaned up." Post-op was !@#%^*, iced the knee a lot with that cooler contraption thingy. Did PT when I came to after general shortly after they wheeled me out of OR,  , also at PTist site, PT homework at home and oh had that CPM machine for a few weeks at home. Gradually did more PT both home and at gym w/PTist, stationary cycling, nothing hardcore, always ended with icing and elevation which felt good. After workouts at home I'd use frozen peas or corn and elevated knee, leg, foot for 1/2 hr. Exercise was moderate with bike riding w/o traffic around neighborhood for short workouts, some walking. Again, nothing strenuous and I never over did it. At 6 months post-op I was given the go-ahead to run but again OS (orthopedic surgeon) said to do the walk-run-walk thing keeping in mind that workouts shouldn't be too long otherwise I'd go backwards in my recovery/rehab. I'd walk for a long time, incorporate some running and ended with a walking warmdown. This went on for weeks, months until eventually I could run more and walk less. I always run every OTHER day and rest on non-running days and if I insist on exercising on non-running or rest days, it's some easy bike riding, walking the dog, swimming and non pounding on the joints exercise. Knee feels good, no pain. I only get pain if I increase my mileage too suddenly instead of gradually so I've learned. Also, I'm very careful now. No slipping, twisting, stepping off a curb absentmindedly, no tripping, falling or doing anything clumsy. No stopping-on-a-dime sports such as basketball, soccer, tennis, baseball, etc. Remember good hydration. Dehydrated joints will hurt more. Drink water, eat healthy and less. I keep my weight down since even a slight weight gain will hurt my knee or so I've noticed.
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niana
Member |
posted Jul-13-2006 08:56 AM
Hey OS NITRO ,thanx a ton for ur reply..i really really appreciate it...well my parents r in india and i really wanted to go and see them...i had my first PT on the 11th of july and my PT said tht i am way ahead of schedule....my operated leg feels very strong..he is going to put me on the bike today ..my ROM is already 129...and i am just 3 wks post op....still have 2 months left for the trip..so i have a lot of time for PT etc.and i am so glad tht u r doing ok coz..man in the begining i thought wot have i put myself into...lol...but every day my knee keeps on getting better and better...i am 40 yrs old female..so dont play basket ball..but was doing taekwondo for the past 3 yrs..theres where i tore my asl..also i do a lot of running on the treadmill..after reading ur comments and comments of the other members here i feel grt and positive tht i will get back to my normal self....thanx a ton once again for ur advice and goodluck to u... ------------------
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Deluxehorsehitter
Member |
posted Jul-17-2006 01:31 AM
I'm so glad I found this thread! You guys are great!!!
In July of '05 I was riding through a fog bank on my Sportster at about 9:30 at night when I slammed into a horse standing in the roadway. The doctor diagnosed me with a sprained MCL and sent me on my way. I sucked it up until about four weeks ago and made another appointment. They did an MRI(finally) and found that I had trashed my miniscus( both sides) and torn my ACL, but only sprained my MCL( I guess his first guess was accurate).
I had the surgery last Monday, 7/10/06, a ACL reconstruction (via the Patellar) and both miniscus were repaired (I'm not sure of the procedure or the extent). I started PT the day after surgery.
I had stopped running about four months before the accident. I had just became a full time single dad, had burned out and just couldn't seem to find the time to run. Needless to say NOT being able to run has really fueled my fire to get out on the road.
Since my doctor and PTA's arent runners I find it hard to relate my concerns to them, so I did a search and found you guys. Isn't the internet great?A few questions:
How strong will my knee be when it's fully healed?
What should I expect as far as stability?
Once I'm able to start running again do I need to wear a protective brace?
I used to run trails and gravel roads a lot, will this be a no-no?
Will there be a time when my knee will feel like it used to?
I'm really afraid that every pain and twinge will play mind games with me, what sensations are normal on the way to recovery? Anyhoo, thanks for all of the informative posts! You guys are truly inspiring!!!
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-17-2006 10:01 AM
Hi Deluxhorsesitter
I am glad you found our thread. When I was recovering the only ACL threads were for skiiers (that's how I trashed mine.) Anyway - to answer your questions -
1) how long until you feel normal (more abot normal later) - like me, you had the meniscus repair (microfracure surgery). This in and of itself is major - so your recovery will take longer than someone who "only" had the ACL reconstruction.
Brace yourself (pun intended) - 9 months until you mostly forget about it - but that includes steady and significant progress the whole time. I was back on the TM in little increments at 3 months and I hired a trainer at my gym while I was on crutches/leg brace so I could build up my core and upper body. Before I was just a pair of legs with weakling arms - now I am overall much stronger and I feel great when I run. My swimming has improved and my arms are toned.
2) stability - this won't be a problem after you heal up and do your PT religiously - but range of motion may never come back completely. The only time I really notice it is when I have to squat down to get something or when I want to sit 'indian style'. I haven't skiied again (yet) but I am sure I will notice it then. People who do pivot sports (soccer, football, basketball) apparetnly really notice it.
3) leg brace - I wore a frankenstien thing post surgery and then a titanium brace that I still have to wear for pivot sports or other activites where I will not have secure footing (I wear it body surfing.) It is not designed for running (too cumbersone and would cause an injury if I did) but I sometimes wear one of those neoprene aces on my knee for shorter runs - mostly psychological I think - but it helps.
4) trails - your call (or your doctors) - I would wait and stick with TM in the beginning. I was on a flat trail last month and sprained my ankle (although my knee held up just fine !) If you rush back you can re-rip the knee - no fun - Truth be told -I run about 80% of my miles on a TM now - still chicken of bumps in the road ...
5) will your knee ever feel the same - I say from my experience - no - sometimes maybe , but not all the time. It deosn't hurt and I can walk, do steps, even run but it often feels like it is wound too tight. Maybe over time (I am only 14 months out.) I any event - I can live with it. Just feels weird.
6) mind games - been there - still there. I was convinced last week that I had ripped my meniscus because I had this sharp pain after running - then I realized it was the other knee - and the pain went away and never came back. But I had to cut my long run in half yesterday (a 10 miler on a TM) because my knee did not feel right. At all. I used to run through knee pain - now I don't. I want to run a marathon this fall but after the run yesterday I don't know if my knee can handle distance of more than 5 or 6. I am hoping it is just my flat tire my shoes - so I am leaving at lunch to buy 2 new pair to train in. If I can't run another marathon - I'll get over it and stick to shorter distance. If I can - great. There will be a day whan I can't. I just don't know when that will be. In the meantime. I am so grateful that I found a surgeon who could glue me back together and that I can walk and not think about my knee hardly at all anymore. : ) And the PT taught me patience, and the temporary disability taught me compassion.
good luck.
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Deluxehorsehitter
Member |
posted Jul-17-2006 11:13 AM
Skypenny, thanks so much for the info!
You are so right about patience and compassion, very well put.
The part about your other knee had me rolling, sounds like something I'd do! I awoke this morning to a very stiff knee, my PT said that this could be expected after five days and to expect a drop in recovery before it rebounds back. I'm off to therapy now and looking forward to it.
I hope everyone has a great day!
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